Education leaders from across the state will gather this month to discuss ways to improve graduation and retention rates.
The annual Arkansas Student Success Symposium will be held March 31 and April 1 on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.
The Student Success Symposium is a collaborative event between the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, Pulaski Technical College, and UCA. “The governor and the Arkansas state legislators believe that colleges and universities should be doing more to improve graduation rates in the state of Arkansas,” said Dr. Sally Roden, associate provost and dean of undergraduate studies.
“The Governor has stated on numerous occasions that the future economy of Arkansas will have to be a knowledge-based economy with more citizens completing college degrees.”
The Legislative Task Force on Higher Education, Remediation, Retention and Graduation Rates recommended that an annual statewide conference be held to support best practices in retention.
Two years ago, two faculty members from Pulaski Tech and one from UCA worked to form a partnership between UCA and Pulaski Tech and obtained grants and support from the Department of Higher Education to host the first student symposium.
“The Student Success Symposium offers a great opportunity for faculty and staff of the state colleges and universities to connect and share with one another ideas for successful programs and support of students,” Roden said. “Arkansas colleges and universities have numerous successful programs to retain students through graduation.”
The state symposium allows education leaders to combine ideas and efforts and work together to enhance student success, Roden added.
“By working together, we can increase the adult population with college degrees, thereby helping the students with their individual careers and also enhancing the state economy,” she said. “The Student Symposium is a win- win situation, for the professionals and for the students.”
The key note speakers for this year’s symposium are Dr. Vincent Tinto, a nationally known author and scholar on student retention, and Dr. John Gardner, leader of an international reform movement to enhance the learning, success, retention and graduation of students. Other guest workshop speakers are:
Christy Cheny: Perspectives as a bi-lingual instructor of student success programs and faculty development.
Jillian Kinzie: NSSE Institute, coordinator of research and project activities to facilitate the use of student engagement data.
Steve Piscitelli: Recognized teacher and author who presents on individual initiatives and student success.
Casey Self: Executive Director for University College Academic Advising at Arizona State University, serving the national academic advising association in leadership roles.
Terrel Strayhorn: Focus on student persistence and the intersectionality of race and class in America.
Bethanie Tucker: Consultant and provider of training for understanding poverty and under-resourced learners.
In addition to the individual speakers, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education will host a session to share state goals and information.
Dr. Allen Meadors, UCA President, is hosting a reception and session on retention and graduation for all Arkansas presidents, chancellors and chief academic and student affairs officers.
For more information about the symposium, visit www.arkansasstudentsuccess.org or contact Larry Burns at lburns@uca.edu or (501)450-5245.
